Cary Grant, one of the Golden Age Hollywood actors to establish the suave, leading man archetype that celebs like George Clooney and Jacob Elordi have gone on to follow, lived in Los Angeles throughout most of his career. However, it has been well-documented that Palm Springs was one of his favorite escapes from tinseltown. Close enough to L.A. to dash back for filming, this estate provided him a place to relax and recharge under the sun and beside the mountains. Known as Villa Paradiso, the property is now up for sale after 30 years in the same hands seeking $12.68 million.
Though Grant didn’t own the gated four-acre spread—his hotelier friend Charlie “Kewpie'” Rich did—it was like a second home to him in the ’40s and ’50s. Rich even built a midcentury modern guest house specifically for Grant. The luxe property next belonged to actress Ann Miller, who solidified it as a true compound with further guest homes.
Today, the glitz and glamour of that era still hangs in the air as does the feeling of secluded ease that Grant surely relished. Citrus groves, cypress and palm trees, fountains, a pool, and winding pathways connecting the structures surround the primary residence, which spans 7,500 square feet and dates back to 1928. Built by prominent developer Prescott Stevens, it’s defined by its Spanish Revival architecture, vast spaces for hosting, and rustic opulence. Wood-beamed ceilings, marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, and arched doorways are some of the well-preserved details to expect.
It wouldn’t be an Old Hollywood Palm Springs estate without a dose of flamboyant panache, too. A bar with a jungle mural and a foyer displaying black-and-white flooring and a staircase dressed in red carpeting nod to the theatrical figures who have come through its doors. Nearby, icons like Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Walt Disney also vacationed in style.
Ernie Carswell of Sotheby’s International Realty holds the legendary listing, which offers 15,000 square feet of living space in total. It’s been on and off the market in recent years, but perhaps the price is right this time.
